understanding and coding MDS 3.0 Item F0800O: Staff Assessment - Keeping Up with News

MDS 3.0 Item F0800O: Staff Assessment - Keeping Up with News

Introduction

Purpose: Staying informed about current events can be an important aspect of a resident’s daily routine and contribute to a sense of connection with the world. MDS Item F0800O assesses whether staff conducted an assessment to determine the resident’s preference for keeping up with the news, especially when the resident cannot express this preference. Understanding these preferences helps provide residents with the cognitive engagement and intellectual stimulation they desire, contributing to their overall well-being.

What is MDS Item F0800O?

Explanation: MDS Item F0800O is part of Section F: Preferences for Customary Routine and Activities. This item evaluates whether staff have assessed the resident’s preference for keeping up with news, such as reading newspapers, watching the news on TV, or listening to radio broadcasts, particularly when the resident cannot communicate their preference. For many residents, staying informed about current events is an important part of their routine, providing intellectual engagement and connection to the outside world. Conducting this assessment ensures that the resident’s interests in news and current events are respected and supported.

Guidelines for Conducting and Coding MDS Item F0800O

Conducting the Staff Assessment: If a resident is unable to communicate their preference for keeping up with news, staff should assess this interest based on family input, past behavior, or observations. Key considerations include:

• Has the resident previously expressed an interest in reading newspapers, watching TV news, or listening to the radio?
• Does the resident regularly watch news programs or ask about current events?
• Have family members or caregivers indicated the resident’s habit of staying informed about the news?

This assessment helps ensure that the resident’s cognitive engagement and interests in current events are incorporated into their daily routine.

Coding Instructions: The coding for MDS Item F0800O depends on whether staff conducted an assessment to determine the resident’s preference for keeping up with the news. The coding options are:

• 0 - No: No staff assessment was conducted to determine the resident’s preference for keeping up with the news.
• 1 - Yes: A staff assessment was conducted to determine the resident’s preference for keeping up with the news.

Example Scenario: If a resident cannot express their preference, and staff assess, based on family input and past behavior, that the resident enjoys reading the newspaper every morning and watching the evening news, you would code F0800O as 1 - Yes. If no assessment was made, you would code F0800O as 0 - No.

Best Practices for Accurate Coding

Comprehensive Assessment: Ensure that the staff assessment includes input from family members, caregivers, or previous records to understand the resident’s habits regarding keeping up with news. This assessment helps maintain the resident’s cognitive engagement and connection to the world.

Documentation: Document the sources used to assess the resident’s preference for staying informed about current events, including family interviews, staff observations, or previous resident records. Proper documentation ensures that the resident’s interests in news and information are consistently supported over time.

Communication: Share the results of the staff assessment with the care team to ensure that the resident’s preference for keeping up with the news is reflected in their care plan. Providing access to newspapers, TV news programs, or radio shows helps maintain the resident’s intellectual engagement.

Training: Provide staff with training on how to support residents who wish to stay informed about current events. This includes helping residents access news sources, whether through print, television, or digital formats, and encouraging them to participate in discussions about current events.

Conclusion

Summary: MDS Item F0800O ensures that residents who cannot communicate their preference for keeping up with the news still have their intellectual engagement needs respected. Conducting a staff assessment allows the care team to provide access to news and information, ensuring the resident remains connected to the world around them.

Click here to see a detailed Step-by-Step on how to complete this item set.

Reference

This guide is based on the CMS's Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual, Version 1.19.1, October 2024, Page F-5.

Disclaimer

Please note that the information provided in this guide for MDS 3.0 Item F0800O: "Staff Assessment - Keeping Up with News" was originally based on the CMS's Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual, Version 1.19.1, October 2024. Every effort will be made to update it to the most current version. The MDS 3.0 Manual is typically updated every October. If there are no changes to the Item Set, there will be no changes to this guide.

This guidance is intended to assist healthcare professionals, particularly new nurses or MDS coordinators, in understanding and applying the correct coding procedures for this item within MDS 3.0. Additionally, this guide refrains from handling personal patient data and does not provide medical or legal advice.